Google joins Apple cutting Off Crimea

(QHA) -

Google is initially cutting off paid services, specifically B2B products like AdSense and AdWords in Crimea. From February 1 it will also cease Google Play services, but it will continue to allow access to free Web-based services like Google Search, Google+, Gmail and Maps.

In addition, Google cannot make payments to anyone in the Crimea. It is now technically impossible, as almost all international banks have ceased to make payments.

The move comes after Apple expanded its own implementation of the the sanctions from developers to products and services this week, and PayPal also added its name to the list. Other tech companies have included Valve cutting off Steam services in the country.

Tech companies are cutting off business with Crimea as a result of sanctions that the U.S. first published on December 19, 2014, in line with a similar move from the European Union.